Clinton's Social Security Plan
Could Change Budget Politics

WASHINGTON -- President Clinton's "Social Security First" strategy for any budget surplus, announced in his State of the Union speech Tuesday night, could change budget politics.

The surprise announcement was the outcome of four months of White House deliberation and debate. It evolved with a big push from Vice President Al Gore as others hesitated out of concern for the administration's -- and Mr. Gore's-own -- spending priorities. The imprimatur of the vice president, who perhaps had the most at stake as he...